NafisaDermot Gallagher has commended the Old Firm match officials, led by referee Nick Walsh and Andrew Dallas at the VAR controls, for accurately handling all major incidents during Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Ibrox.
Substitute Ianis Hagi had a second-half penalty claim for Rangers dismissed after colliding with Celtic captain Callum McGregor in the box during a goalmouth scramble.
Both players lunged for the ball after Nicolas Raskin’s shot was blocked, with Hagi falling as McGregor positioned his body between the Romanian international and the ball.
McGregor’s assessment of the incident post-match was “no chance”, while Light Blues interim boss Barry Ferguson believed it would’ve been a foul elsewhere on the pitch, stating: “The way I look at it is if that is in the middle of the pitch, that is a foul. But look, we didn’t get much today so I will just leave it at that.”
However, Gallagher maintains the officials made the right call. He told Sky Sports: “I just think it’s a reaction of two players reaching for the ball. Not a penalty, for me.”
Another key moment occurred after Adam Idah’s second-half equaliser when the Republic of Ireland striker was initially flagged offside, despite being certain his goal was valid. Following a VAR review, Walsh overturned his on-field decision, and the leveller was upheld.
Match officials earn Old Firm approval from former ref
Former SFA Category One ref Des Roache also evaluated Walsh’s performance and believes the seasoned referee rose to the occasion despite some drama surrounding penalty calls, VAR, and other contentious decisions.
Writing in his Daily Record column, Roache said: “Minimal fuss, contention or controversy. That’s all you can ask for as a referee. I can’t remember any Old Firm game finishing without a yellow card in history. For a while it looked like this might be the one.
“In the end, Rangers boss Barry Ferguson and substitutes Bailey Rice and Johnny Kenny were the only ones cautioned, which reflects how firmly Nick maintained control. A low card count doesn’t mean it was a simple game to officiate. I can assure you that Nick worked diligently every moment to ensure he kept command of the match and allowed the players to play.
“The man in the middle had no issues. He established early what was acceptable by issuing several public warnings. Anthony Ralston was reprimanded, as were Callum McGregor and Nicolas Raskin when tensions flared between the competing midfield generals. It was just two players trying to assert dominance over each other. Silly schoolboy antics and all for show. Nick told them to stop it and don’t be foolish.
“The decision by VAR to disallow Raskin’s opener was correct. The midfielder moved prematurely before the free-kick was taken. The officials were also correct to award Celtic their equaliser through Adam Idah. Daizen Maeda was onside when receiving the ball at the start of the attacking phase and didn’t obstruct Liam Kelly’s view of the shot at goal.
“There was no haste to issue cards in a match largely free from incidents, though there’s an argument Celtic escaped some bookings. They committed 18 fouls to Rangers’ nine, but I’d say they are very skilled foulers. They commit fouls strategically, pushing the boundaries where it’s not yet a promising attack.
“You don’t break the rules, you bend them. The Ianis Hagi penalty claim that had the Rangers bench repeatedly shouting at the fourth official was a talking point, but they were grasping at straws. Not all contact is a foul. It’s a physical game, and it wasn’t sufficient for a penalty. McGregor simply used his body and turned around.
“Both teams can reflect on their performances however they choose, but the match officials can certainly be satisfied that they performed well, and no one will be focusing on them. Job done.”
Nafisa
